-
10,000 BCE
Proto-Indians
Proto-Indians lived at the Gault site. -
1500 BCE
Coastal Americans Indians
Coastal Americans Indians made knives and scrapers from stone. -
100
American Indians
American Indians lived near Galveston Bay began making pottery. -
Sep 22, 1000
Caddos
The Caddos grow many crops in East Texas. -
Jan 31, 1519
Alonso Alvarez
Alonso Alverez maps the coast of Texas -
Sep 22, 1528
Europeans and Karankawas
Europeans arrive in Texas and encounter the Karankawas -
Sep 22, 1541
Explorer Franisco Vasquez de Coronado
Explorer Franisco Vasquez de Coronado crossed the panhandle -
Jan 15, 1554
shipwreck
A Spanish treasure fleet ship wrecks off of present day Padre Island. -
May 1, 1568
Longest river
The Rio Grande that begins in colorado and flows along the Texas and Mexico is the border. It runs 1,885 miles.w -
Jan 1, 1581
Gellegos
Spoiard Hernan Gallegos writes about the Jumanos in Texas. -
Juan de Onate
He goes across the Texas panhandle. -
Spaniards
Spaniards first see Apaches on horse back -
French explorer
Group of colonists led by French explorer Rene-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle lands in Matagorda Bay in Texas. -
San Francisco de los Tejas
The Spanish build a mission named San Francisco de los Tejas. -
San Antonio de Valero mission
Martin de Alarcon establishes the San Antonio de Valero mission -
Settlers
Settlers from the Canary Islands arrive in San Antonio -
Laredo
Rancher Tomas Sanchez establishes the town of Laredo -
Marques de Rubi expedition
The Marques de Rubi expedition begins -
Nacogdoches
Antonio Gil Ybarbo founds the town of Nacogdoches in East Texas. -
Juan Agustin Morfi
Spanish priest Juan Agustin Morfi, author of the History of Texas,1673-1779, dies -
horses
Philip Nolan, a U.S. citizen, receives permission to capture wild horses in Texas. -
James Long
U.S. citizen James Long and a small force invade Texas, only to be defeated by Spanish forces. -
independence
Mexico, which includes Texas, wins its independence from Spain. -
Moses Austin
The Spanish government grants Moses Austin permission to found a colony in Texas. -
Jared Groce
Settler Jared Groce plants a cotton crop, possibly the first in Stephen F. Austin's colony. -
Anglo settlers
About 3,000 Anglo settlers live in Texas without the permission of the Mexican government. -
Mexican officials
Mexican officials adopt the Constitution of 1824. Coahuila and Texas are merged to form one state. -
Empresario Martin de Leon
Empresario Martin de Leon settles families on the lower Guadalupe River. -
American Indian attack
An American Indian attack on the green Dewitt colony forces settlers to flee Gonzales. -
Haden Edwards
The Fredonian Rebellion begins When Haden Edwards declares independence from Mexico. -
Stephen F. Austin
Stephen F. Austin receives a contract to settle an additional 100 families in Texas. -
General Manuel de Mier y Teran
General Manuel de Mier y Teran begins a tour of Texas for the Mexican government. -
Thomas J. Pilgrim
Thomas J. Pilgrim organizes a Sunday school and private boys' school in San Felipe. -
President Guerrero
President Guerrero issues a decree ending slavery in Mexico, but an exemption is made for Texas. -
Texas Gazette newspaper
The Texas Gazette newspaper begins publication in Austin's colony. -
Mexico issues a law
Mexico issues a law that changes rules in immigration and trade in Texas. -
Gonzales receives a cannon
The town of Gonzales receives a cannon from the Mexican government to defend against American Indian attacks. -
Mary Austin Holley's letters
Mary Austin Holley's letters, describing life in early Texas, are published. -
Texas farmers exports
Texas farmers exports some 7,000 bales of cotton, worth about $315,000 to New Orleans. -
Stephen F. Austin is arrested in Saltillo.
Stephen F. Austin is arrested in Saltillo. -
Texas settlers
Texas settlers hold about 3,500 land grants. -
immigrants enter Texas
An estimated 1,000 U.S. immigrants enter Texas each month. -
Texas settlers attack Mexican soldiers
Texas settlers attack Mexican soldiers at Gonzales, forcing them to leave. -
Texans become concerned
Texans become concerned when the Mexican government officially abolishes the Constitution of 1824 -
Texas troops push Mexican troops out
Texas troops push Mexican troops out of San Antonio, capturing the city. -
Siege
The Siege of the Alamo begins. -
Declaration of independence
The Texas Declaration of independence is adopted. -
Texans win the battle
Texans win the battle of San Jacinto, ending the Texas Revolution. -
Sam Houston
Sam Houston becomes the first popularly elected president of the Republic of Texas. -
Texas flag
The first official Texas flag is adopted by the Texas congress. -
U.S. Congress
The U.S. Congress authorizes a diplomat to go to Texas. -
Texas government
The Texas government begins work work in Houston, the new capital. -
horse race
Velasco citizens hold a horse race on the coast near the Town -
William H. Wharton
William H. Wharton is elected to the Texas Senate. -
Mirabeau B. Lamar
Texans elect Mirabeau B. Lamar as president. -
homestead law
Texas passes a homestead law protecting settlers homes from being seized to pay debts. -
Tejanos flee
Repeated attacks and discrimination force more the 100 Tejano families to flee nacogdoches -
France
France becomes the first European nation to recognize Texas as an independent country. -
Austin the new capital
Austin the new capital has 850 residents -
Galveston University
Galveston University opens its doors to five students. -
Rutersviile College
The first college charted by the Republic, Rutersviile College is founded. -
William Kennedy writes a book
William Kennedy publishes Texas The Rise, Progress, and Prospects Of the Republic of Texas. -
President Mirabaeau B Lamar
President Mirabaeau B Lamar sends the Texas Navy to the Yucatan coast -
Sam Houston
Texans again elect Sam Houston as the president of the Republic. -
Snider de Pellegrini
Snider de Pellegrini, director of a French colonization company, bring 14 settlers to Texas. -
General Adrian Woll
General Adrian Woll and About 1,400 Mexican soldiers capture San Antonio. -
Tehuacana Creek Councils
The Tehuacana Creek Councils lead to peace between Texans and several Texas Indian groups. -
Prince Carl of Solms-braunfels
Prince Carl of Solms-braunfels comes to Texas followed by a group of German immigrates. -
Regulator Moderator War.
President Sam Houston sends troops into East Texas to end the Regulator Moderator War. -
Anson Jones
Texan elect Anson Jones president of the Republic. -
African americans
At least 30,00 enslaved African Americans live in Texas. -
United States annexes Texas
The United States annexes Texas. -
U.S. Congress
On December 29 the U.S. Congress officially admits Texas to the Union and approves its first state constitution. -
peace treaty
Texas signs a peace treaty with the Penateka Comanches. -
Thomas J. Rusk and Sam Houston
Thomas J. Rusk and Sam Houston become the first Texans to serve in the U.S. Senate. -
Palo Alto and Resaca de La Palma
Fighting breaks out between U.S. forces and Mexican troops at Palo Alto and Resaca de La Palma. -
population
A state census reports the state's population at more then 142,000 -
Samuel H. Walker
Samuel H. Walker dies in combat during a conflict in Mexico. -
George T. Wood
George T. Wood is elected governor of Texas. -
Texans cast their first votes
Texans cast their first votes as U.S. citizens in a presidential election. -
Texas population
The Texas population reaches 200,000 people. -
Melinda Rankin
In her book Texas in 1850, Melinda Rankin describes the state and urges people to move to Texas. -
Port Isabel Light House
Work begins on the Port Isabel Light House. When completed its light could be seen from 16 miles away -
Fort Worth
U.S. Army troops abandon Fort Worth after settlers move farther west beyond the fort. -
railroad
After many false starts, track is finally laid for the buffalo Bayou, Brazos and Colorado railroad. -
Know-Nothing party
The American, or Know-Nothing party becomes active in Texas. -
Governor's Mansion is built
The Governor's Mansion is built in Austin. -
Slaves
Slaves in Colorado Country acquire weapons and plan a rebellion, but the plot is discovered before it can begin. -
Butterfield Overland Mail
The Butterfield Overland Mail begins taking passengers and mail by stagecoach from Missouri through Texas and on to California. -
cotton
Texas produces a record crop of more then 400,000 bales of cotton. -
Texas Rangers and Mexican Americans near Brownsville.
A series of clashes occurs between Texas Rangers and Mexican Americans near Brownsville. -
Sam Houston easily defeats
Sam Houston easily defeats incumbent Hardin Runnels in the election for Texas governor. -
Texans vote
Texans vote by more than three to one to secede from the United States. -
Troop leave San Antonio
Troop leave San Antonio for New Mexico planning to capture the Southwest for the Confederacy. -
Texas Frontier Regiment
The Texas Frontier Regiment is established. -
Union forces capture Galveston.
Union forces capture Galveston. -
President Lincoln
President Lincoln issues the Emancipation proclamation. -
The Texas cattle population increases
The Texas cattle population increases rapidly during the Civil War. -
Sabine Pass
A Union attempt to invade Texas is turned back at Sabine Pass. -
Brownsville
Union troops capture Brownsville. -
battle near Mansfield, Louisiana, Confederate
In a battle near Mansfield, Louisiana, Confederate forces stop a Union invasion of northeastern Texas. -
battle near Mansfield, Louisiana, Confederate
In a battle near Mansfield, Louisiana, Confederate forces stop a Union invasion of northeastern Texas. -
colonel Christopher "Kit" Carson leads an attack
colonel Christopher "Kit" Carson leads an attack against Plains Indians in the Panhandle. -
Palmito Ranch, Texas.
The last land battle of the war is fought at Palmito Ranch, Texas. -
Emancipation Proclamation
The Emancipation Proclamation goes into effect in Texas freeing the state's slaves. -
George T. Ruby
African American George T. Ruby is elected as a delegate to the Republican National Convention. -
Fort Richardson is established
Fort Richardson is established near Jacksboro. -
Edmund J. Davis
Republican Edmund J. Davis is elected governor. -
Texas cowboys move a herd of 15,000 cattle to market
Texas cowboys move a herd of 15,000 cattle to market. It is the largest single herd of the era. -
Edmund J. Davis
Edmund J. Davis is elected governor, the last Republican to hold the office until Bill Clements was elected in 1978 -
rail lines
Texas has 583 miles of rail lines. -
public school system is created
A public school system is created in Texas. -
wettest place
In 1873 in clarksvillie received 109.4 inches of rain that year. -
Ranchers begin to ship thousands of cattle
Ranchers begin to ship thousands of cattle from Denison after the Missouri-Kansas-Texas Railroad extends a line there. -
Democratic Party
The Democratic Party regains full control of the state government. -
Plains Indians attack
Plains Indians attack a group of buffalo hunters in the battle of Adobe Walls. -
Quanah Parker surrenders
Comanche leader Quanah Parker surrenders, ending the Red River War. -
cattle stampede
About 2,700 animals die during a cattle stampede near the Brazos river. -
The Texas legislature passes a law
The Texas legislature passes a law that allows the state to fund railroads with land grants. -
Texans adopt the constitution
Texans adopt the constitution that governs the state today. -
Texas adopts a new constitution
Texas adopts a new constitution. -
Texas A&M University opens
Texas A&M University opens as an all-male military institution. -
Victorio launches raids
Apache leader Victorio launches raids along the Texas Mexico border. -
The Texas and Pacific Railroads meets the Southern Pacific line
The Texas and Pacific Railroads meets the Southern Pacific line near El Paso, forming the first transcontinental railroad route through Texas. -
a ranch in the Panhandle purchases enough barbed wire
a ranch in the Panhandle purchases enough barbed wire to fence 250,000 acres. -
University of Texas formally opens
The University of Texas formally opens. -
major strike against Jay Gould's railroad company.
The Knights of Labor begin a major strike against Jay Gould's railroad company. -
railroad track in Texas.
There are more than 8,000 miles of railroad track in Texas. -
Antitrust Act of 1889.
The Texas legislature passes the Antitrust Act of 1889. -
Largest Aquifer
The Ogallala Aquifer is the largest underground water source in Texas. -
The Texas Railroad Commission
The Texas Railroad Commission is established to regulate railroads in Texas. -
James Stephen Hogg
James Stephen Hogg-the first native-born Texan to become governor is elected. -
Texas Normal College and Teachers' Training Institute
Texas Normal College and Teachers' Training Institute, now called the University of North Texas, opens in Denton. -
farmers endorses the Populist Party
A leading association of farmers endorses the Populist Party. -
The first football game is played
The first football game is played between the University of Texas and Texas A&M -
Drillers strike oil
Drillers strike oil in Corsicana. -
Teddy Roosevelt organizes and trains
Teddy Roosevelt organizes and trains the Rough Riders in San Antonio. -
Texas farms
Texas has more than 350,000 farms, and almost half of all farmers are tenant farmers. -
hurricane hits Galveston
A hurricane hits Galveston, killing some 6,000 to 8,000 people. -
Spindletop well strikes oil
The Spindletop well strikes oil, producing more than 17 million barrels of oil the next year. -
The Spindletop oil strike spurs
The Spindletop oil strike spurs the growth of the Texas oil industry. -
The Corsicana Oilers set a baseball record
The Corsicana Oilers set a baseball record by defeating the Texarkana team 51 to 3. -
a large oil strike in Harris Country.
a large oil strike is made in the Humble oil field in Harris Country. -
The first Neiman Marcus department store opens
The first Neiman Marcus department store opens in Dallas. -
Oil is discovered at Goose Creek
Oil is discovered at Goose Creek along Galveston Bay. -
Jovita Idar
Jovita Idar becomes the first president of the League of Mexican Women. -
largest lake
Caddo Lake is the largest natural lake in Texas, covering more then 39 square miles -
The Houston Ship Channel
The Houston Ship Channel opens and Houston soon becomes an important oil refining center. -
The Houston Ship Channel is completed
The Houston Ship Channel is completed, leading to the growth of industry in the Houston area. -
law requiring children to attend school.
The Texas legislature passes the first state law requiring children to attend school. -
Texas ratifies the Eighteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution
Texas ratifies the Eighteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which bans the sale or manufacture of alcohol. -
After decades of fighting for the right to vote
After decades of fighting for the right to vote women are allowed to vote in Texas primary elections. -
Texas troops are sent to France to fight
Texas troops are sent to France to fight in World War 1. -
Santa Rita No. 1 Strikes oil.
An application is filed to drill for oil on state-owned land in West Texas. Several years later the Santa Rita No. 1 Strikes oil. -
Governor William Hobby
Governor William Hobby breaks a dockworkers' strike in Galveston. -
Texans elect Miriam A. "Ma" Ferguson
Texans elect Miriam A. "Ma" Ferguson as the state's first female governor. -
Automobile registrations
Automobile registrations reach 1 million. -
the majority of Texans vote a Republican candidate-Herbert Hoover.
For the first time in the state's history , the majority of Texans vote a Republican candidate-Herbert Hoover. -
Texans are unemployed.
Some 300,000 Texans are unemployed. -
Coldest spot
The lowest recorded temperature in Texas was a chilly -23 , occurring in 1899 at Tulia and in 1933 at Seminole. -
James V. Allred
James V. Allred is elected governor of Texas. -
Texas celebrates the 100th anniversary
Texas celebrates the 100th anniversary of the Texas Revolution. -
Texans elect W. Lee "Pappy" O'Daniel
Texans elect W. Lee "Pappy" O'Daniel as governor. -
The Southern Aircraft Corporation
The Southern Aircraft Corporation, the first airplane manufacturer in Texas, is formed. -
Texans volunteer
Large numbers of Texans volunteer in World War 2. -
U.S. Supreme Court declares
The U.S. Supreme Court declares the Texas white primary unconstitutional. -
Texas law
A Texas law establishing white primaries is struck down by the U.S. Supreme Court in Smith v. Allwright. -
Audie Murphy receives the Medal of Honor
Texan Audie Murphy receives the Medal of Honor for stopping a German tank attack in France. -
More than 3 million automobiles
More than 3 million automobiles are registered in Texas. -
Allan Shivers successfully runs for a third term
Allan Shivers successfully runs for a third term as governor. -
driest place
Wink recived 1.76 inches of rain in 1956 for the whole -
women call for an equal rights amendment
Texas women call for an equal rights amendment to the state constitution. -
Buddy Holly is killed
Texas musician Buddy Holly is killed in a plane crash. -
The U.S. Supreme Court rules that Texas owns Gulf coastal tidelands
The U.S. Supreme Court rules that Texas owns Gulf coastal tidelands up to a 10.35-mile limit. -
Henry B. Gonzalez is elected and John Tower is elected
Henry B. Gonzalez is elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, and John Tower is elected to the U.S. Senate. -
The Manned Space Center
The Manned Space Center, now the Johnson Space Center, is built in Houston. -
Toledo Bend Reservoir
Toledo Bend Reservoir on the Sabine River holds more then 5.5 billion cubic meters of water. -
Lyndon B. Johnson becomes president
Lyndon B. Johnson becomes president of the United States after President John F. Kennedy is assassinated. -
Texas Instruments
Texas Instruments releases the first handheld calculator. -
singer Janis Joplin's career
Texas singer Janis Joplin's career takes off after Monterey International Pop Festival. -
The National Aeronautics and space Administration sends the Apollo 11
The National Aeronautics and space Administration sends the Apollo 11 mission to the moon. -
La Raza Unida Party.
Members of the Chicano movement and the Mexican American Youth Organization from La Raza Unida Party. -
Barbara Jordan
Barbara Jordan is elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. -
Highest point
Guadalupe Peak is the highest point in the state, at 8,749 feet above sea level -
Women are allowed to serve on Texas juries
Women are allowed to serve on Texas juries for the first time. -
Austin City Limits goes on the air
Austin City Limits goes on the air with Willie Nelson as its first guest musician. -
Texas population
The Texas population reaches 14 million. -
Texas writer Larry McMurtry receives the Pulitzer Prize
Texas writer Larry McMurtry receives the Pulitzer Prize for his novel Lonesome Dove. -
Texans Barbara Jordan
Texans Barbara Jordan is elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. She is the first black woman from the South to serve in Congress. -
Raul Gonzalez
Raul Gonzalez is elected to the Texas Supreme Court. He is the first Mexican American elected to statewide office. -
Texas musician Stevie Ray Vaughan
Texas musician Stevie Ray Vaughan is killed in a helicopter crash. -
The North American Free Trade Agreement is passed
The North American Free Trade Agreement is passed, easing trade among the United States, Mexico, and Canada. -
hottest spot
The highest recorded temperture in Texas was the temperature of 120 degrees recorded in Aeymour in 1936 and in Monahans in 1994 -
George W. Bush
George W. Bush takes office as governor. -
Texas state government
The Texas state government employs more than 230,000 people in more than 200 agencies, with a two year budget totaling more than $98 billion. -
Rick Perry
Rick Perry becomes the 47th governor of Texas. -
Republicans control
Republicans control of the Texas House of Representatives. -
Texas becomes the national leader
Texas becomes the national leader in wind power generation. -
Timder industry
The Texas timber industry earned more then $ 1.9 billion in 2007. -
livestock
Sales of Texas livestock totaled more then $10.8 billion in 2007 -
Rick Perry
Rick Perry becomes the longest serving governor in Texas history. he was elected governor again in 2010 -
Cowboys Stadium
Cowboys Stadium later renamed AT&T Stadium opens in Arlington. -
lowest ever recorded rainfall.
Texas revives its lowest ever recorded rainfall. -
oil
In 2012 Texas produced about 730 million barrels of crude oil worth some $55 billion. -
Farms
In 2012 there were more than 244,700 farms inTexas -
Agriculture
Agriculture added some $36 billion to the Texas economy in 2012 -
Cotton
In 2012 the value of Texas cotton production reached over $ 1.5 billion. -
computers and electronics
Texas exports of computers and electronics were worth more then $ 45 billion in 2012 -
Texas exports
Texas exports more than $134 billion worth of goods. -
Texas gains four new seats in Congress.
Based on the 2010 Census, Texas gains four new seats in Congress. -
Land irrigated
More than 6 million acres of Texas land are irrigated -
Forest and Woodlands
Texas contains more then 60 million acres of forests and woodlands -
Lignite
Texas has an estimated 23 billion tons of lignite, a type of coal.